Key Points
- Maharashtra Cabinet held a historic meeting in Chaundi, Ahilyanagar, to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a ₹681 crore development package for the Ahilyadevi Holkar memorial and major funding for other religious sites.
- New initiatives include a government medical college and ITI for girls in Ahilyanagar, a multilingual film on Ahilyadevi Holkar, and special welfare schemes for the Dhangar community.
- The entire cabinet paid tribute at the memorial, reviewed ongoing restoration and development works, and received a grand traditional welcome.
- The meeting is seen as both a tribute to Ahilyadevi’s legacy and a significant move to empower local communities and boost regional development.
Ahilyanagar: a landmark gathering, the Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, convened in Chaundi, Ahilyanagar, the birthplace of the legendary Maratha queen Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar, to commemorate her 300th birth anniversary. This is the first time a full cabinet meeting has been held in this rural district, underscoring the government’s commitment to honoring Ahilyadevi’s enduring legacy.
Grand Tribute and Traditional Welcome
The cabinet, accompanied by legislative and district leaders, began their visit by offering floral tributes at the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar memorial. They also visited the historic Lord Mahadev temple and reviewed restoration efforts at Ahilyadevi’s ancestral home, including the kitchen, Darbar hall, and other heritage structures. The ministers were welcomed with the beating of traditional Dhangari drums and a ceremonial aukshan by local women, reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Major Announcements: Memorial Revamp, New Institutions, and Welfare Schemes
Chief Minister Fadnavis unveiled a comprehensive ₹681 crore plan to transform the Ahilyadevi Holkar memorial into a national-level inspiration and pilgrimage center. Key projects include:
- Restoration and Development: Renovation of the historic fort, creation of Nakshatra Udyan, a museum, craft galleries, and enhanced security features.
- Education and Women’s Empowerment: Announcement of a government medical college and a dedicated ITI for girls in Ahilyanagar, both named after Ahilyadevi Holkar.
- Multilingual Film: The state will produce a multilingual movie to popularize Ahilyadevi’s life and achievements across India and the world.
- Special Welfare Initiatives: New schemes for the Dhangar community, including hostels for boys and girls, and infrastructure projects in Pune and Nashik.
- Religious Tourism: Substantial funding for other major temples, including ₹1,865 crore for Tuljapur, ₹1,445 crore for Mahalaxmi Mandir, and more for Trimbakeshwar, Jyotiba, and Mahurgad temples.
Political and Social Significance
The meeting, held at the request of local leaders and community representatives, is seen as a strategic move to empower the Dhangar community and boost regional development. With the district recently renamed Ahilyanagar in her honor, the government aims to make it a model for cultural preservation and social progress.
